League: Bhana picks up another honour in hectic week

Junior Warriors captain David Bhana collected another honour last night when he was named the Rugby League Players Association NYC Education and Welfare Player of the Year at the 10th annual RLPA Awards in Sydney.

the 20-year-old, who attended the dinner, is in his final year of a Bachelor of Science degree (majoring in environmental science) at the University of Auckland. The accolade follows his recognition for his on-field qualities when he was recently named in the NYC Team of the Year.

It's been a hectic week for the former Birkenhead College old boy. He led the Junior Warriors to a hard-fought 20-18 victory over South Sydney in last Friday night's elimination final at ANZ Stadium before returning to Sydney for the RLPA Awards.

Tonight he will join his teammates at the Warriors' annual NYC Awards dinner, when he features as a finalist for the NYC Player of the Year award.

Last year he was named the Young NYC Player of the Year and was also a finalist for the supreme NYC Player of the Year and the Clubman of the Year.

Tomorrow Bhana will be back on another Air New Zealand flight to Sydney with the Junior Warriors for Friday night's semifinal against the Sydney Roosters at Allianz Stadium.

At the RLPA Awards on Tuesday night, Cowboys co-captain Johnathan Thurston collected the premier honour as the RLPA Players' Player of the Year and Issac Luke was named New Zealand Representative Player of the Year.